New Delhi: V. Muraleedharan will represent Kerala in the NDA ministry. He will be a minister of state with independent charge.

An MP from Maharashtara, Muraleedharan was invited to the tea party for those selected for ministerial births, organised by Narendra Modi at his residence. The meeting will give shape to Modi’s council of ministers.

The NDA had considered three names from Kerala to be selected to be minister. They were Alphons Kannanthanam, V Muraleedharan and Kummanam Rajasekharan. On Thursday afternoon, Muraleedharan himself confirmed that the BJP national president Amit Shah invited him to the meeting. Muraleedharan said that the invitation was a complete surprise.

A native of Thalassery, Muraleedharan came into politics through BJPs student wing ABVP. He has worked as the ABVP state secretary and national general secretary. Later he became a strong presence in both the BJP and RSS. He has also worked as the chairman of Nehru Yuva Kendra.

Muraleedharan, who has been working based in New Delhi holds strong contacts with Narendra Modi.